silvery_stars

Announced April 6th: Night of Stars September 19, 2009 Giselle October 1-11, 2009 World Passions October 22-November 1, 2009 The Nutcracker November 27-December 27, 2009 Coppélia April 8-18, 2010 Ultimate Balanchine May 6-16, 2010 Black and White May 20-30, 2010 World Passions consists of Paquita, Vicktor Plotnikov's Rhyme, Jorma Elo's Carmen/Illusions, and a new work by Helena Pickett. Ultimate Balanchine will consist of Four Temps, Apollo, and Theme and Variations. Seems there's also been promotions and there are four new principals: Kathleen Breen Combes, Melissa Hough, Misa Kuranaga and James Whiteside. I'm super thrilled about KBC being promoted, she's one of my very favorites and I knew it was only a matter of time! Honestly, I'm a little disappointed by this season. I feel like we just saw Giselle, and why repeat Black and White so soon? Maybe they're trying to keep it simple with the venue change? On the upside, I'm quite pleased with Coppelia and the Balanchine program, though I guess I'll still have to wait to see Agon someday. I'm also glad they will have more contemporary stuff this year, and I do enjoy Helena Pickett's work. Thoughts?

I'm gonna see it this weekend and I'm so excited! I'm glad to know it's looking good. And I'm REALLY glad that the acting is good. I'm forever on the hunt for good acting within a ballet performance, because it's hard to find and it adds so much to the show. Three cheers for Mikko, for making Boston a ballet force to be reckoned with!

So, so true. I also blame the schools. So much emphasis on doing the steps and not any emphasis on acting! If I wanted to see people pounding out skills, I'd watch gymnastics. It's as though the acting exploration is saved only for those moving beyond the corps, which is quite late in one's career. It's a performing art, and there's a story in there somewhere, remember? The poverty of good acting on the ballet stage drives away audiences, sealing the stereotype that ballet is distant, affected prancing that means nothing to "my life". Which is why I so treasure Alessadra Ferri, who is a stunning actress. In fact, I generally like Kenneth MacMillan's work specifically because of his narrative style. As much as I like Swan Lake, I need more than just some mime interspersed with big dance numbers.

I'm going to sound cranky because there's certainly nothing bad about this season, but it just seems a bit National Ballet of Everywhere to me. I'm pretty happy about it. What would your dream season look like?

Is anyone going to the Gala Performance on October 25? It's a one night only event, and the program looks really thrilling. I bought my ticket right away and I can't wait! From the website: This benefit evening will feature the entire company and full orchestra, and showcase all principal dancers and internationally renowned guest artists performing solos, pas de deux, excerpts from classical and contemporary ballets, and a surprise or two... Among the highlights of the evening are George Balanchine’s show-stopping Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, the central pas de deux from William Forsythe’s edgy, electrifying In the middle, somewhat elevated; the introduction of One Constant, a piece created by second soloist Heather Myers for Boston Ballet’s Choreography Workshop in May, and New York City Ballet principal dancer Damian Woetzel performing Jerome Robbins’ exquisite Suite of Dances. Choreographed in 1994 for Mikhail Baryshnikov and performed to Suites for Solo Cello by Johann Sebastian Bach, Suite of Dances is an elegantly playful solo accompanied by an onstage cellist. Boston Ballet has danced just one Robbins ballet in its history (Interplay), and Woetzel’s appearance provides a rare opportunity to see a work by the man many feel was the greatest American-born classical choreographer. The evening will also feature a performance by second soloist Misa Kuranaga, who recently won a gold medal in the senior division of the Jackson International Ballet Competition. The remaining repertory and full casting will be announced at a later date. I saw Heather Myers' piece back in May at Harvard and I totally loved it. I'm so glad to be seeing it again!

SCREEEEAAAAAM!!!! *faints*

I'm going to the matinee on the 22nd of October and I'm THRILLED! I haven't seen the Boston Ballet since I was around 9 for the Nutcracker. Now I'm 23 and it's about darn time, especially since I have revived my ballet hobby in recent years and it will mean so much more. I plan to drag my mother to Pho Pasteur afterward.

Alessandra Ferri, hands down, totally gorgeous with those neverending legs. Polina Semionova is also ridiculously gorgeous. Paloma Herrera is glamourous as well.

I hate it when tutu waists are too high. A tutu is a rather weird costume to begin with and it's hard to wear them well. But when the waist is high, she just looks stumpy. It's better if the skirt sits a little lower. I think it was in Midsummer Night's Dream, Alessandra Ferri's romantic tutu was very high and it kind of ruined everything. And she is drop-dead gorgeous, so it was a shame. I also don't like tutus that are really huge stiff platters. I like the ones that are a little smaller in diameter and a little bit floppy so that the dancer's torso flows into the skirt smoothly while still maintaining the ballerina look. On the other hand, my favorite tutus are the red Don Q ones. I also am a sucker for the Indian costumes from Bayadere. Very unique for a ballet.